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Glossary of Terms
Length On The Waterline (l.w.l.): A length mea-
surement of a boat at the waterline from the stern
to where the hull breaks the water near the bow.
Limber Hole: A passage cut into the lower edges
of oors and frames next to the keel to allow bilge
water to ow to the lowest point of the hull where
it can be pumped overboard.
Line: The term used to describe a rope when it
is on a boat.
Lists: A boat that inclines to port or starboard
while aoat.
L.O.A.: Boat length overall.
Locker: A closet, chest or box aboard a boat.
Loran: An electronic navigational instrument
which monitors the boat’s position using signals
emitted from pairs of transmitting stations.
Lunch hook: A small light weight anchor typically
used instead of the working anchor. Normally used
in calm waters with the boat attended.
Midships: The center of the boat.
Marina: A protected facility primarily for recre-
ational small craft.
Marine Ways or Railways: Inclined planes at
the water’s edge onto which boats are hauled.
Moored: A boat secured with cables, lines or
anchors.
Mooring: An anchor permanently embedded in the
bottom of a harbor that is used to secure a boat.
Nautical Mile: A unit of measure equal to one
minute of latitude. (6076 feet)
Nun Buoy: A red or red-striped buoy of conical
shape.
Outboard: A boat designed for an engine to be
mounted on the transom. Also a term that refers
to objects away from the center line or beyond the
hull sides of a boat.
Pad Eye: A deck tting consisting of a metal
eye permanently secured to the boat.
Pier: A structure which projects out from the
shoreline.
Pile or Piling: A long column driven into the bot-
tom to which a boat can be tied.
Pitching: The fore and aft rocking motion of a
boat as the bow rises and falls.
Pitch: The measure of the angle of a propeller
blade. Refers to the theoretical distance the boat
travels with each revolution of the propeller.
P.F.D: Personal Flotation Device.
Port: The left side of the boat when facing the bow.
Porthole (port): The opening in the side of a boat
to allow the admittance of light and air.
Propeller: A device having two or more blades
that is attached to the engine and used for propel-
ling a boat.
Propeller Shaft: Shaft which runs from the back
of the engine gear box, aft, through the stufng
box, shaft log, struts and onto which the propeller
is attached.
Pyrotechnic Distress Signals: Distress signals
that resemble the brilliant display of ares or re-
works.
Raw Water Cooled: Refers to an engine cool-
ing system that draws seawater in through a hull
tting or engine drive unit, circulates the water in
the engine and then discharges it overboard.
Reduction Gear: Often combined with the reverse
gear so that the propeller turns at a slower rate
than the engine.
Reverse Gear: Changes the direction of rotation
of the propeller to provide thrust in the opposite
direction for stopping the boat or giving it sternway.
Roll: A boat’s sideways rotational motion in rough
water.
Rope Locker: A locker, usually located in the bow
of a boat, used for stowing the anchor line or chain.
Rubrail: Railing (often rubber or hard plastic)
that runs along the boat’s sheer to protect the hull
when coming alongside docks, piers or other boats.
Rudder: A moveable at surface that is attached
vertically at or near the stern for steering.
Sea anchor: An anchor that does not touch the
bottom. Provides drag to hold the bow in the most
favorable position in heavy seas.
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